A Great Emcee

05/03/2017

I was recently at an event where the emcee was one of the most memorable parts of the night. And I began to wonder why.

I mean, have you ever been to an event with a great emcee? You know, the person who opens and closes the night and introduces key moments throughout the event.

They’re energetic, they relate to the audience, they talk just long enough to make you feel welcomed and informed, and they may even make you laugh.

But the difference between a good emcee and a great emcee isn’t just engaging an audience, it’s the ability to set the stage for each act.

They research everything about the event. They know the performers, the venue, the city, and specifics about the audience. They take all of that knowledge and use it to build excitement and anticipation for each part of the event.

A great emcee can reference some of the nuances of each act –how the performer is going to use a certain instrument, or where the act originated, or how special it is that they are here for this occasion.

Then, they’ll rile up the crowd.

“So, are you ready for the incredible ____________??”

“Then give it up for ___________and the _______________”

[ Crowd goes wild ]

The connection between a good emcee and a good performance is undeniable.

If an emcee fails at their job, stumbling through details and lacking energy, the poor folks who enter the stage have to start by building that energy rather than launching right into their best work. In some cases, they may never get to those magical moments because it was lost before they even walked on stage.

An emcee holds a lot of power.

And so do you.

Everyone around you needs an emcee. They need someone who knows what they’re good at and can vouch for it in front of friends, teammates, clients, and anyone else looking at their stage.

And not only vouch for it, but also nurture it.

There is nothing more powerful than someone saying, “Hey, you’re really growing in your ability to ____________. So I got you this book…”

or “I got you tickets to this event…”

or “I saw a sign for this program and I think you should consider it.”

Those acts communicate that you believe in them and want them to succeed.

More importantly, the more you get to know about the people closest to your life and work, the better emcee you’ll be during conversations, meetings, and projects. Doing so will deepen and sweeten your relationships and build morale among everyone who’s looking in.

Because the show isn’t just about you…it’s about all of us.

So, who you do emcee for?
And who emcees for you?